08.15.2022 / Press Release

Families USA expands its expertise in maternal and child health, equity and social justice with the appointment of Ben Anderson as director of maternal and child health initiatives

Washington, DC– Families USA Executive Director Frederick Isasi announced today that Benjamin Anderson has joined the leading national voice for health care consumers as director of maternal and child health initiatives. His appointment is part of the organization’s focus on ensuring every mother and baby have the best health and health care regardless of the color of their skin, where they live or what language they speak.

Anderson is responsible for developing and advancing Families USA’s maternal and child health and reproductive justice-related priorities. Prior to joining the organization, he was Director of Economic Mobility and Health Policy for Children’s Defense Fund in New York, where he oversaw policy development and strategic engagement to advance maternal and child health policies at the state and federal levels.

He has an extensive track record advancing and advocating for centering equity and justice in maternal and child health policies at the state and local levels. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated Anderson to be an inaugural member of the New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council; he also served as co-chair of the N.Y. State Office of Health Insurance Programs’ Public Programs group, a board member for the New York School Based Health Alliance and co-founder of the Lead-Free Kids New York coalition. Anderson holds a JD from Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Colgate University.

“Throughout his career, Ben has been an impassioned advocate, fighting for policies to counter poverty, and improve equity and outcomes for moms and babies,” said Frederick Isasi, executive director at Families USA. “His work has centered on developing and implementing state and federal policies to improve access to coverage, address the Black maternal health crisis, reduce childhood lead exposure, and increase investments in early child development. In the midst of a Black maternal health crisis – when access to reproductive health care is under attack and the health and well-being of children is suffering – we welcome his experience, passion and commitment to enacting policies that improve the lives and health of children, mothers and families.”

“I am excited to join the Families USA team to help improve access for mothers and children so they can live their healthiest lives,” said Anderson. “This work is so critical now more than ever as the plight of moms, babies and kids – especially those from Black families and disenfranchised communities – is gaining traction as a result of the disparities laid bare by the pandemic. I look forward to continuing to advocate for critical provisions that will combat current access and inequity issues, such as expanding coverage to close the Medicaid coverage gap, requiring continuous Medicaid coverage for moms and babies in their first year of life, and making significant investments to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.”

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